Korean War Veteran Darrell Krenz shares his story as a 37 month prisoner of war.
U.S. Marine James Turner signed up to serve at just 13 years old. Inspired by the events of 9-11, this Marine faced his toughest battle after returning home. Host Ben Olsen leads him to Minnesota bass as James tells his story.
Former U.S. Army Sergeant and former Alaska State Trooper, Erik Hill hits the Wisconsin waters to lure more than just bass to the surface. He shares his story of his life, his service, and his struggles since returning from war.
Purple Heart, Bronze Star recipient, and Vietnam War Veteran Harold Klegin and Host Jay Garstecki hit the water on a small lake in Wisconsin. Harold is full of endless jokes, laughs, and of course stories.
U.S. Marine Chad Stuhr grew up with a love for the outdoors, and a love for his country. Host Ben Olsen takes him back to his roots with a day of fishing and learns how Chad carried on the tradition of service started with his father.
The story of a Wisconsin soldier who reveals his real-life struggles as a 37 month prisoner of war during the Korean War.
World War II Veteran Opal Waldman joins us on the water as we reel in fish and share a few stories. We also take a look into the history of women in war.
We share the story of a World War II sailor from inside a fishing boat. Bob Bray reflects on the terrors of war and his head to head meeting with a typhoon.
Join us in the boat in Florida with Former Military Police Officer, Jeff Lince. As a part of the first Desert Storm in Iraq, Lince shares his stories of becoming a soldier, his time in service, and his struggle reintegrating back into civilian life.
Retired Army Sergeant and Marine Corporal shares his story of growing up with his twin brother Chris. Brian and Chris, joined the marines together through the buddy program, and both served during the Battle of Fallujah.
Operation Fishing Freedom heads south to the Gulf Of Mexico with Vietnam Army Medic John Hitchens in search of a shark. He shares his story from being a medic during the Vietnam War to becoming a part of a sober bike club.
Former U.S. Army Sergeant Kurt Power joins us in Canada for some fresh Walleye. Power shares his story from surviving a sniper's bullet in Ramadi, Iraq, to serving as an officer on the Boston Gang Unit.
World War II Veteran Dominic Errichiello saw everything from the Shores of Normandy on D-Day to the fiercest moments of the Battle of the Bulge, and is eternally grateful that he made it home to create the thing he cares about most: Family.
Keith Lorensen is no stranger to water, he spent many years at sea during his service in the U.S. Navy. Back in October of 2000, Keith was injured during a terrorist attack on the historic USS Cole.
Though her 36 years in the Army as a nurse and medic, Laura Ludwig faced many challenges. None more difficult than taking care of the young men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since coming home Laura has not stopped serving.
In 1966, a 19-year-old, Wisconsin farm boy's life changed forever when he was drafted into the Army and shipped over to Vietnam. Now a soldier, Glenn engaged in numerous battles, and scouted for the infamous "tunnel rats" in the Vietnam War. The lone survivor in his platoon, the most heart-breaking story is Glenn's treatment from his own countrymen on his trip home to the United States.
On 9/11/2001, Bryan Anderson started basic training with the U.S. Army. A few months later he would find himself in the middle of the Iraq War as a military police officer. An IED Explosion would change his life forever, and Bryan would begin his new life as a triple amputee.
In June, 1941, Leo Wolfson's life took an unexpected turn when he was drafted into the Army. World War II had arrived, and Leo was stationed on the islands of Hawaii only months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Tasked with being a soldier and an entertainer, Leo rose to the occasion on both fronts. He found himself in foxholes, and on the big stage, performing for the troops. Leo's wit and humor are in tact, and he shares his stories and personal experience with the second World War.
Since his high school sports days, James Elkins has been a team leader. An early interest in the Army lead the Alaskan teenager to finish college and head off to Army Ranger school. In Afghanistan, a gunshot wound to the head wasn't enough to quell the spirit of this Ranger, and his positive attitude continues to pay off.
The men and women who serve our country have overcome a substantial amount of adversity and challenges while in service. When they come home it can feel like merging into oncoming traffic at full speed. We take a look at a few young veterans who have faced the emotional struggles of coming home, and the outlets to cope with their post-traumatic stress.
Unsure with the path his life would take, Brad Peterson decided to join the U.S. the Coast Guard. After saving many lives on the water as a part of rescue teams, Brad joined a new life-saving team as a nurse at the Minnesota VA. Today, we head out into the Gulf of Mexico to take Brad on his first saltwater fishing trip.
Born and raised on an Air Force base in Alaska, Joseph Lefthand answered his call to duty as a Marine. After completing multiple tours to Asia and the Middle East, he started a family. In 2015, his wife passed away from breast cancer. Now a single father of 4 children, Joseph has found healing through an art program for veterans called CreatiVets.
Our WWII Veterans are known as "The Greatest Generation." We take a look at some of the struggles and adversity veterans from the Greatest Generation faced. We also highlight a story from a hero veteran that has gone untold until now.
In the first season of Operation Fishing Freedom we shared the story of a 37 month POW, Darrell Krenz. Now, we fly him to Texas to reconnect Darrell with Veteran Jack Goodwin. After the emotional surprise meeting, they reconnect and discuss their time alongside each other as 37 month POWs during the Korean War.
U.S. Army veteran, wildfire firefighter, and police officer. Ryan Heard has a long resume of service, including a Purple Heart he received after stepping on an IED in Iraq. Since coming home, has found the outdoors to be his best form of therapy.
Before the age of 23, U.S. Marine Jeff Francis filled out a total of three wills. His tours of duty not only protected our freedom, but also created positive change for a country in need. When he came home, the transition back into civilian life proved to be difficult. For Jeff, his service dog Fox has become much more than just man's best friend.
Severely injured in Iraq, Andy Qualy came home to Minnesota as the founder of the Minnesota Warriors Hockey club.
U.S. Special Forces Green Beret Greg Stube was critically wounded during Operation Medusa in Afghanistan.
U.S. Army veterans Rebekkah Camp and Jason Martin help each other cope through their military struggles and PTSD.
While in Iraq, purple heart recipient Chad Shevlin recounts how he survived being hit in the face by a rocket-propelled grenade.
Deployed to Afghanistan, newly minted Canadian Army Captain Corey Shelson went from being a combat engineer to leading a troop on the front lines in the war on terror.
A decorated veteran of the Vietnam war, Al Lynch recounts saving the lives of three men and life after receiving the medal of honor from President Nixon.
U.S. Army veteran Shaun Brewer recounts the daily struggles of PTSD and his bond with his service dog Gunnar.
Hit by a grenade thrown by an adolescent terrorist, U.S. Army veteran James Smith recounts his time in the military.
Meet Elmer Henderson, a 97-year-old WWII U.S. Army Veteran. On the Season 5 premiere, Elmer tells his incredibly brave story of spending 63 straight days of continuous fighting and movement through the jungle during the Second World War.
Georgia native and U.S. Army veteran Josh Holubz recounts leaving his newborn daughter and being severely wounded by machine-gun fire while fighting in Iraq.
Helicopter Crew Chief John Reichenberg, 1st Cavalry Division, served during the Vietnam War. He recalls many vulnerable moments in huey choppers during Vietnam while fighting with an over ten-foot-long shark on the line.
U.S. Army veteran and Chicago native Thyeesha Coleman shares her severe physical and emotional struggles while overcoming substance abuse.
Vietnam war veteran Gary Fawcett shares his emotional story of narrowly escaping death in the jungle of Vietnam while watching his fallen comrades be sent home to be buried.
Jason Van Camp has many titles; U.S. Army Ranger, Green Beret, Special Forces, fisherman, husband, and father. We travel to the beautiful Pineview Reservoir in the Mountains of Utah for some fishing and endless stories.